While holidaying is normally a time to switch off from the outside world, a new survey has revealed that the lure of technology proves too strong for many.

A whopping 65 per cent of tourists say they can not bear to go more than just seven minutes before logging onto the hotel Wi-Fi.

Just a decade ago, free hotel Wi-Fi may was rare but in the social media reliant world of today, a quarter of Brits would refuse to even stay somewhere if the hotel didn't provide free internet.

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A whopping 65 per cent of tourists say they can not bear to go more than just seven minutes before logging onto the hotel Wi-Fi

Forget waking up to a glorious beach or a dazzling city skyline, 45 per cent of holidaymakers said having free hotel Wi-Fi is more important to them than having a view.

The desire for free Wi-Fi was second, on the hotel guests' wishlist, only to a free room upgrade.

And for a third of British travellers, enquiring about the internet password is the first thing they ask for upon arrival at their hotel – even before checking out their room - according to the study by nationwide aparthotel chain Roomzzz.

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The reason for this was found to be linked to feeling cut off from the world back home.

Today, 61 per cent claim they feel bored and lonely without internet and almost one in ten (9 per cent) hotel guests admit they fall into a state of panic if they can't get access to free Wi-Fi during a hotel stay.

It transpired that Londoners are most reliant on internet, with 30 per cent saying they would walk out of a hotel if it didn't provide free Wi-Fi.

And ten per cent of hotel guests polled say if they checked into a hotel and there was an issue with the wi-fi they would demand financial compensation or even a full refund of the room rate charge.

In fact Londoners, the Scots and those living in the North West of England were found to be the quickest to ask for the Wi-Fi password when checking into a hotel.

It transpired that Londoners are most reliant on internet, with 30 per cent saying they would walk out of a hotel if it didn't provide free Wi-Fi

And those travelling with children say that being able to connect to the internet was crucial.

The survey shows that 52 per cent of adults staying at a hotel with a child claim Wi-Fi is an absolute necessity.

But it appears that more and more hotels are catering for this reliance on connectivity.

Of those surveyed, 14 per cent claim they have never stayed in a hotel where free Wi-Fi wasn't offered as standard and 34 per cent claim it has been years since they stayed in a hotel without free Wi-Fi.

Some 10 per cent of those polled said they would be 'relieved' if there was no Wi-Fi in their hotel room

However, not all travellers are reliant on technology while on holiday.

Ten per cent say they would be 'relieved' if there was no Wi-Fi in their hotel room.

The survey found that just three per cent of the nation does not own a Wi-Fi enabled device but the average Brits has three items which rely on Wi-Fi to operate.

Those living in Newcastle and the North East of England are likely to have the most Wi-Fi enabled devices.

Of those surveyed, 14 per cent claim they have never stayed in a hotel where free Wi-Fi wasn't offered as standard

Roomzzz spokesperson, Mark Walton, said: 'Our research shows that free Wi-Fi is paramount to guests because without it they are unable to check email, stay in touch with family and friends over social networks, check the news and, most importantly according to the research, read the weather forecast for where they are staying.

When people managed to sign onto the Wi-Fi, more than one in ten (12 per cent) use this service to order takeaway food delivered direct to their room.

Walton said: 'A quarter of those we polled now completely ignore the TV in their hotel room and rely instead on hotel Wi-Fi to stream their most-watched TV shows or listen to their favourite music via internet services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Spotify and iTunes, all of which need higher speed Wi-Fi.

'How guests spend their time in hotels has changed beyond belief in the last decade.'

Today, 61 per cent of holidaymakers claim they feel bored and lonely without internet and almost one in 10 (9 per cent) hotel guests admit they are in a state of panic if they can't get access it during a hotel stay